At an elevation of roughly 2,500 feet, Tucson's majestic and diverse landscape has brought two national park districts (Saguaro National Park East & West) and a national forest (Coronado National Forest) to the city's doorstep. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, the Santa Catalina foothills, and the Tucson Mountains, all just a short distance from downtown Tucson. So it's no surprise that Tucson-based outdoor and travel writer Rob Rachowiecki refers to the city as a "hiker's nirvana."

"Having been born and raised in England, and then having spent a good chunk of my early adult years hiking and climbing in the Andes, I was not very prepared for Tucson summers," he explains. "Happily, I discovered I could escape into the mountain ranges surrounding the city, where the forests provided ideal conditions for enjoying the outdoors."

Given the dense network of trails available in the Tucson area, Rachowiecki cuts to the quick to find the area's absolute best hiking for people of all abilities. A one-stop-shop, this guide includes some of the roughest, longest day hikes in the nearby mountainous regions, as well as hikes of more moderate length and some very easy, short strolls that are more accessible, perfect for families with small children or people with limited mobility. Rachowiecki also provides his personal recommendations for hiking trails ideal for geology buffs, history lovers, family outings, mountain summits, seasonal water features, and wheelchair accessibility, among other categories. Hikers will also find detailed driving directions to trailheads, along with original, GPS-based trail maps and elevation profiles for each trail.